Caustic Soda Prices Tumble Amid Weak Demand

9:02 AM MDT | April 24, 2009 | Lindsey Bewley

U.S. caustic soda spot prices have tumbled more than $200/m.t. since the beginning of this year, with prices recently hovering at about $500/m.t. on the U.S. Gulf Coast, sources say. Spot prices are falling almost every week, sources say. Caustic soda contracts climbed to highs of more than $1,000/m.t. last year, due to low operating rates at chlor-alkali plants stemming from reduced demand for co-product chlorine. However, caustic soda contract prices have since plunged due to weak global demand. Contracts are being talked about in the $600-$700/m.t. range...